Home Network Controller Power Saving via Dynamic Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless networks waste power by constantly broadcasting SSID messages when no client devices are connected, leaving the network vulnerable to unauthorized access when unattended.

Innovation Solution

A home network controller that automatically turns off the Wi-Fi network when no clients are connected and reactivates it upon detection of a registered client device returning within a predetermined distance, using a home network controller to manage operation modes and secure the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the Wi-Fi network constantly broadcasts SSID messages to maintain network availability, then clients can always connect to the network, but power is wasted and the network remains vulnerable to unauthorized access when no clients are connected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The access point dynamically switches between two operational modes: a first mode where the radio is enabled and SSID broadcasting is active when clients are connected, and a second mode where the radio is disabled and SSID broadcasting is stopped when no clients are connected. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain network availability when needed while eliminating power waste when unnecessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically monitors the connection status of client devices and adjusts its operation accordingly. When clients are detected, the network transitions to an active state with SSID broadcasting enabled. When no clients are present for a predetermined period, the network transitions to a dormant state with broadcasting disabled, creating a periodic on-off pattern that balances availability with power conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of energy

If the access point disables the radio to save power when no clients are connected, then power consumption is reduced, but the network becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidunauthorized access vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring to detect when client devices disconnect from the network. Upon detecting that no clients are connected, the access point proactively disables the radio and stops SSID broadcasting before unauthorized access attempts can occur, thereby preventing rather than reacting to security threats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The access point autonomously monitors its own client connection status and automatically transitions between operational modes without external intervention. When no legitimate clients are present, the system self-activates security measures by disabling the radio, and when clients return, it self-reactivates normal operation, making the security mechanism self-regulating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If the access point switches modes automatically based on client disconnection, then power is saved when unattended, but the network may not be quickly reactivated when users return

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The access point continuously monitors for client connection requests and uses this feedback to trigger mode transitions. When a client disconnection is detected, the system feeds back this information to activate the dormant mode. When reconnection requests are received, the feedback mechanism triggers immediate mode switching back to active state, ensuring rapid response to user needs while maintaining power savings during unattended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230239696A1System and method to save power in an access point device

Publication Date: 2023.07.27 THOMSON LICENSING SA

AI summary

A home network controller for use with a wireless client device and for communicating with an external network, where the home network controller can receive, via the external network, an initiate signal instructed by the wireless client device. The home network controller includes a memory, a processor, an internal communication component and an external communication component. The home network controller can: associate the home network controller with the wireless client device to establish a wireless network, communicate with the wireless network client over the wireless network, enable the wireless client to communicate with the external network by way of the wireless network, operate the home network controller in a first mode, and operate the home network controller in a second mode, switch operation of the home network controller from the first mode to the second mode based on a disassociation of the wireless client device, and switch operation of the home network controller from the second mode to the first mode based on receipt of the initiate signal from the external network via the external communication component.